Dan Brady Helps Honor Normal Cops

Posted on May 26, 2022
Dan Brady honors Normal Police Officers (WJBC file photo)

By A.J. Harris

NORMAL – Yesterday, several Normal Police Officers were honored for their service to the community, heroically putting their lives on the line for the safety of others.

In August of 2021, Officer Shane Bachman, Officer Cory Phillips, Sgt. Jonathan McCauley, Officer Kyley Helper and Officer Evan Easter confronted an armed individual on Lambert Drive in Normal and due to their extraordinary action were able to put an end to an already deadly confrontation, as well as assist those who were injured.

State Representative Dan Brady was on hand to help honor these officers as well as Officer Melanie Crays, who confronted a suicidal man with a gun, and ended the situation with no injuries.

“The Normal Officers responding had to take the situation into their own hands, and with their training had to make split second decisions,” Brady said, “to protect lives…more lives.”

Brady added because of their extraordinary actions, those in the Landing, as well as the town of Normal, were protected.

A.J Harris can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…